Bhopal: One out of every five members of Madhya Pradesh assembly is facing criminal charges varying from minor offences to heinous ones like murder, attempt to
murder and kidnapping.

A total of 42 MLAs of various political parties in the 230-member House, besides two ministers and a former minister, have criminal cases registered against them. These include seven women.

"Criminal cases of various types have been registered against a total of 42 MLAs, two Minister and a former minister of this assembly," state Home Minister Umashankar Gupta said in a written reply to question from Congress MLA Ranveer Jatav in the just concluded monsoon session of the assembly.

Apart from Baghel, the other Minister against whom criminal case has been registered is Public Health Engineering and Cooperative Minister Gaurishankar Bisen.

Baghel, who represents Manawar constituency in Dhar district, is facing charges under section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 506 (threatening to kill) in a case
registered against her at Manawar Police Station in Dhar district in 2009.

Baghel is the only minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Ministry who was arrested and released during her ministership.

Bisen was booked under Section 188 of IPC for violating the Balaghat Collector`s order and a case in this regard was registered against him at Kotwali Police Station in
Balaghat district in 2009. This case is sub-judice.

Asha Rani, a BJP MLA from Bijawar constituency in Chhatarpur district, was booked at Kolar Road police station here in January this year for allegedly abetting suicide of
her maidservant Tijji Bai, her abduction, keeping her as a bonded labourer and sexually abusing her.

The victim, Tijji Bai, who had sustained serious burn injuries, was found dead at the Bhopal residence of the leader in November 2007.

A case is being tried in Bhopal District Court and sAsha Rani has been shown as an absconder.